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Unique Plants for Lower Light Areas

Are you coveting the brightly lit living room jungles you see online, but feel disheartened by your lack of southern exposure windows? No fear, we've put together a list of plants that will turn your darker corners into the lush indoor wilderness you've been longing for...

Philodendron hederaceum 'Lemon Lime'

Common name: Neon Heartleaf Philodendron

Why We Love It: The neon philodendron brings a bright splash to a quiet corner. Climbing or trailing, this plant is on the go.
Light: Indirect, medium light. Will tolerate lower light but might not be quite as neon green.
Water: Let the top inch of the soil dry to the touch before watering.
Pet Friendly: No

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

Common name: Black Cardinal Philodendron

Why We Love It: This non-vining philodendron has dramatic reddish black leaves that bring a bit of drama to the plant stand. Pair this shrub-like grower with a trailing bright green plant for a sharp contrast.
Light: Indirect, medium light.
Water: Let the top inch of the soil dry to the touch before watering.
Pet Friendly: No

Sansevieria boncel ‘Silver Starfish’

Common name: Starfish Snakeplant

Why We Love It: A great beginner fern, and her fernlets are the cutest! She grows them off of her fronds and when they are old enough, they drop down into the soil and root.
Light: Indirect, medium light.Water: Let soil dry out between waterings. Highly susceptible to root rot.
Pet Friendly: No

Peperomia 'Hope'

Common name: Hope Peperomia

Why We Love It: Peperomias are a great plant family for lower light situations. We love ‘Hope’ for her cheerful round leaves and if she gets leggy in the lower light, she’s easy to trim.
Light: Indirect, medium light.
Water: As the plant is semi-succulent, allow it to dry out moderately between waterings.
Pet Friendly: Yes

Fittonia

Common name: Nerve Plant

Why We Love It: One of our go-to terrarium plants, the fittonia loves humidity. And fittonias come in different colors like red, pink, and green, with silvery veins. A collection of these plants substantially increases the lowlight palette!
Light: Indirect, medium to low light.
Water: Hailing from the South American rainforest, this uniquely patterned houseplant likes high humidity but not too much water.
Pet Friendly: Yes

Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’

Common Name: Cebu Blue Pothos

Why We Love It: Fenestrations (holes or “windows”) in the leaves will start to form as this vining plant matures. The split leaves add texture to your growing lower light plant collection! Training the plant up a stake or pole will encourage fenestration.
Light: Indirect, medium to low light.
Water: Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings. Though the Cebu Blue does love humidity.
Pet Friendly: No

Ficus pumila quercifolia

Common Name: Mini Oakleaf Creeping Fig

Why We Love It: The tiny leaves on this creeping fig look like frogs and it’s sometimes even called ‘String of Frogs.’ This little guy absolutely thrives in a terrarium with its lower light and high humidity.
Light: Indirect, medium to low light.
Water: Likes regular water, so keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. High humidity will keep the edges of the leaves from getting crispy.
Pet Friendly: No

Philodendron micans

Common Name: Velvet Leaf Philodendron

Why We Love It: Besides feeling like actual velvet, the color on this plant is gorgeous. The mature leaves are a deep olive green hue, and the new growth emerges chartreuse and gold, tinged with magenta.
Light: Indirect, medium light.
Water: Likes regular water, somewhat drought tolerant, never let the bottom of the pot sit in water! If leaves are turning yellow and falling off, it’s likely over-watered.
Pet Friendly: No

Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald'

Common Name: Red Emerald Philodendron

Why We Love It: The deep wine-red stems look so lovely with the large green leaves. This is a hefty climber and will need support as it matures.
Light: Indirect, medium light.
Water: As with other philodendrons, the red emerald is somewhat drought tolerant, so it’s better to err on the side of dryness. They can be susceptible to root rot, especially in a lower light area where the soil doesn’t dry out as quickly.
Pet Friendly: No

Marcgravia sp. Azrael

Common Name: Shingling Vine

Why We Love It: This plant has a beautiful dark green to purple appearance and is iridescent. Shingling plants are vines whose leaves almost appear to form themselves to the surface that they are growing on.
Light: Indirect, medium light.
Water: Water when soil medium is dry to the touch. Loves high humidity but hates having water on it’s leaves.
Pet Friendly: No

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